In this message, I preach “V²: Vision & Values,” teaching that what we experience in worship and daily life becomes stronger when our church is aligned around two things: vision (where God is leading us) and values (who God is shaping us to be). I share that vision matters not only for individuals but also for the church body. Without direction, people drift, become distracted, or fall into whatever pressures life throws at them.
1) Why Vision Matters
I begin with Proverbs 29:18, pointing out that many people quote only the first half “where there’s no revelation, people cast off restraint” but the verse also includes “blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” I emphasize that it’s not Bible vs. Spirit or Spirit vs. Bible, they belong together. We read the Word carefully, and we also live daily sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. The Spirit isn’t only present to help us interpret Scripture, He also speaks, guides, prompts, and directs believers in real time.
I then explain that without vision, we lose direction, and when we lose direction, we become vulnerable, our choices get driven by emotions, pressure, distraction, or fear instead of purpose. That’s why vision is a gift: it gives us a clear target.
2) Write the Vision and Stay Focused
From Habakkuk 2:2, I highlight the command to write down the revelation and make it plain. Vision isn’t meant to be vague or forgotten; it should be recorded and remembered. I talk honestly about how easy it is to forget simple tasks, and how that same forgetfulness can cause us to forget what God said. Writing it down helps us stay focused.
I also address delays and redirections: if a vision seems delayed, it doesn’t mean it’s dead. Sometimes God redirects for a season, like Paul experiencing a closed door and receiving a different assignment. What looks like delay can be preparation.
3) Our Church Vision: Unity
I share that when I stepped into leadership, one of my first questions was: “What is the vision of this church?” A church can’t be effective in its community without knowing what it’s called to emphasize. I remind the congregation that the vision we prayed and fasted for at the beginning of the year was unity, and I point out how God has already been fulfilling it: families reconnecting, people returning, and the body slowly being restored.
I challenge the church to remember the vision so we don’t miss what God is doing. If we forget unity, we’ll drift into lesser priorities, secondary arguments, or distractions.
I reinforce unity with key Scriptures:
Philippians 2:2, be like-minded, same love, one spirit and mind 1 Corinthians 1:10, agreement and reduced division Romans 12:5, many members, one body in Christ
Unity doesn’t mean we never disagree. It means we keep Jesus at the center and refuse to let lesser things break the bond of the Spirit.
4) Values: The Character That Sustains the Vision
Next, I teach that vision alone isn’t enough. You can have a direction, but if you don’t have the values and character to withstand storms, you won’t stay steady long enough to finish what God called you to do.
I define values as the standards and principles that shape what matters most. Christian values are rooted in what Jesus taught, and they don’t shift with trends. Values show what’s really inside us, and they also shape the kind of people we become.
I then point to the early church as a picture of healthy values (Acts 2:42–47): devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, awe, generosity, unity, worship, and evangelistic fruit.
5) Our Core Values Today
I lay out the church’s core values and connect them to Scripture and real life:
Appreciate Diversity
We value people, stories, and gifts, and we empower them to advance God’s Kingdom. I connect this to the body imagery of 1 Corinthians 12, where we are one body with many parts.
Practice Generosity
Generosity isn’t only money; it’s time, service, support, and sharing our gifts. I connect it to Philippians 2:4, looking to the interests of others.
Embrace the Spirit-Filled Life
The Holy Spirit isn’t limited to church services, He goes with us everywhere. A Spirit-filled life includes fruit of the Spirit and openness to the gifts of the Spirit. I tie this to John 14:16–17, emphasizing that the Spirit lives in us and guides us.
Authentic Leadership
Leadership isn’t pretending you have it all together; it’s being real about struggles and victories while modeling Christ. I reference John 13:15, where Jesus leads by serving. I describe growth stages: observer → participant → leader, and I call for leaders who are steady examples in a dark world.
Honor Relationships
The church grows when we love, support, challenge, and sharpen each other. I connect this to Romans 12:10, devoted in love, honoring one another above ourselves.
Fruitful Worship
Worship isn’t routine; it’s encounter. I anchor this in John 4:24, worship in Spirit and truth. We come not to “check a box,” but to experience God and be changed.
6) Call to Response and Prayer
I close by calling the church to return to the center:
remember the vision: unity live the values consistently ask the Holy Spirit to sharpen us refuse to drift into distractions or division become a church whose identity is recognizable by its fruit
I pray for renewed spiritual sight, for hindrances to be removed, and for the church to stay aligned with Jesus as the non-negotiable center.
My Faith Journey 